In Conversation with Abigail Ahern

Abigail Ahern on creating a beautiful home

Renowned interior designer, author, retailer and lover of all things vintage, Abigail Ahern is the one to know if youre planning to spruce up your home. Having just launched her new book Decorating with Style, Bazaar spoke to the style maven about her interiors inspiration, celebrity clients and those all important tips for creating a beautiful home

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Abigail Ahern has always had an eye for interiors and when she relocated to America in her twenties she took the opportunity for a career change. Deciding to train as an interior designer, she was instantly thrown in at the deep end when she was asked to head up the design department of an American architectural practice.

Now, she is one of the most celebrated designers in the industry.

Her second book Decorating with Style is about all those little things that turn a room around quickly  the finishing touches, says Abigail. It showcases the designers talent for creating something beautiful with a shoestring budget and offers savvy tips and speedy tricks for bringing your home to life.

Abigails style is classic, witty and uber-luxurious. She fuses a love of vintage (with a particular attraction to the Victorian era) and dark interiors with contemporary furnishings and mood-setting colour palettes.

Despite this unique and recognisable aesthetic, Abigail is always on the look out for new inspirations. As a designer you have to keep your eyes open all the time. I have thousands of magazines from all over the world that I subscribe to and look at every month, from fashion to interiors. Im not often inspired by one particular thing, Im aware of many things.

Trips to the countrys vast antique fairs, from Kempton to Newark, fuel Abigails imagination and are perfect for picking up quirky furnishings. But her all time favourite place to shop is Merci in Paris, its amazing for fashion, books, interiors, restaurants  I could live there.

At the moment Im desperate for a set of concrete rocking arm chairs by designer Willy Guhl. Theyre really beautiful and would last outside forever. And Rina Menardi, whos an Italian ceramicist, makes the most incredible tiles in stunning colours for summer and a range of different sizes. Theyre phenomenal.

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When Abigail isnt exploring, shes designing. Atelier Abigail Ahern, a tiny emporium in the heart of London, sells her iconic lamps amongst other whimsical and glamorous pieces sourced from and inspired by her travels around the world.

And were not the only ones with a penchant for Abigails eclectic homeware  celebrity clients include Emma Watson, Robbie Williams, Jeremy Paxton, Sade and Robert Downey Jr buys our lights all the time she says.

People who like our style are design savvy, they have to be because we do push a few boundaries. The style works with contemporary and traditional interiors but I think you have to have a sense of humor and wit because its quite tongue in cheek.

So what is Abigails advice for creating a beautiful home? She swears by three fundamental top tips when it comes to decorating: Colour is the cheapest and most transformative thing you can do to a space. Lighting comes next - its absolutely fundamental in creating the atmosphere and mood, which are really important, she advises. Finally, texture and pattern are the herbs and spices of the decorating world  you need some going on in any space to make it feel intriguing and tantalising.

Pick up a copy of Decorating with Style, published by Quadrille (£16.99), at abigailahern.com